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Yorkton Sisters honoured by Catholic schools

Yorkton's Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate (SSMI) were honoured last weekend by the Saskatchewan Catholic School Boards Association (SCSBA) for their service to Catholic education in the province.
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From left: Doreen Rathgeber, Christ the Teach trustee with Sister Susane Kokuruds, Sister Patricia Lacey and Tom Fortosky, president of the Saskatchewan Catholic School Boards Association.


Yorkton's Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate (SSMI) were honoured last weekend by the Saskatchewan Catholic School Boards Association (SCSBA) for their service to Catholic education in the province.

Only in its second year, the Appreciation Award In Appreciation of Commitment and Contribution to Catholic Education in Saskatchewan recognizes individuals or groups who have advanced faith-based education.

"Our board of directors felt they were a very worthy recipient," said Ken Loehndorf, SCSBA executive director. "They've obviously made significant contributions to Catholic education in our province."

Sister Susane Kokuruds, who, along with Sister Patricia Lacey, received the award in Regina November 3 on behalf of the SSMI, was humble about the accomplishment.

"It was a beautiful thing, really, because we felt like we were receiving it on behalf of all the Sisters through the years."

It is a lot of years and a lot of Sisters to represent.

The SSMI have been serving Catholic schools in Yorkton, Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Regina since the early 1900s. Up until 1963, Catholic schools operated without government assistance, relying on the dedication of religious orders such as the SSMI who served as teachers, principals, administrators and librarians. They even kept the kitchen running at St. Joseph's College.

Chad Holinaty, supervisor of education for Christ the Teacher Catholic Separate School Division (CTTCS), said it cannot be understated how instrumental the Sisters have been to the development of the current Catholic Board.

"In Yorkton, the rich legacy of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate resides in the highly successful Sacred Heart High School," he wrote in the nomination papers submitted to the SCSBA by Christ the Teacher. "Most important of all are the former students who have been inspired by the Sisters and other staff members to be fine citizens and leaders in home, church, and society."

The Sisters also played a significant role in establishing the Yorkton Catholic School Division, the predecessor of CTTCS.

Although their hands-on running of schools and school boards has diminished with the advent of the modern school system, the sisters still play a significant role in the spiritual life of Saskatchewan Catholic schools providing services such as catechetical classes, summer camps and operating the Ukrainian Catholic Religious Education Centre in Saskatoon.